By fourth grade, Phil Cruz had become accustomed to being picked on by the neighborhood kids. Saddest of all, his older brother PJ was among the bullies.
But while the bullies laughed, Phil joined the Little Kids Rock program at Gibsonton Elementary. With support and encouragement from his Little Kids Rock teacher, Mr. Johns, Phil practiced guitar and built up his confidence to the point where he was able to stand in the spotlight onstage at his school talent show, performing in front of those same bullies, who now cheered for him. And his big brother, who didn’t have Phil’s back, now backed him on the drums.READ MORE >>